MORAL COMPASS: Great Places to Go Where the Going Does Good

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cruises, expeditionary cruises, Nature Travel, small ship cruising

AdventureSmith Explorations Offering $1,200 Savings on Select 2019 Alaska Small Ship Cruises

March 31, 2019 MoralCompass

*AdventureSmith Explorations is offering last-minute savings of up to $1,200 (per couple or $600 per person) on select departures of 2019 small-ship cruise vacations in Alaska.*

TRUCKEE, CA – The small ship cruise company, AdventureSmith Explorations, is offering last-minute savings of up to $1,200 per couple ($600 per person) on select departures of 2019 cruise vacations in Alaska.

“An expanded inventory of small ships, more itineraries and a longer season all benefit our clients who are interested in Alaska this year,” says Todd Smith, founder/president. “‘It’s very rare to see special offers this great so late in the Alaska booking season.”

To take advantage of specials that apply to specific departures and cabin categories, reservations must be made by April 19, 2019.

Savings up to $1,200 per couple come with select 2019 departures of the following itineraries:

Alaska’s Glacier Country is an eight-day cruise navigating some of Alaska’s most impressive glaciers and wildlife viewing. Savings come with departures aboard the 90-guest S.S. Legacy April 26; May 10, 17, 24 and 31; June 7, 14, 21 and 28; July 5, 12, 19 and 26; Aug. 2 and 9; and aboard the 88-guest Safari Endeavor Sept. 1 and 8; and a special fitness and yoga-themed departure aboard the S.S. Legacy May 3.
Alaska’s Glaciers & Whales is an eight-day cruise from aboard the 88-guest Safari Endeavour. Savings are applied to May 26, June 9 and 23, July 7 and 21, and Aug. 4 and 18 departures. Suites on this ship include balconies; activities options include stand-up paddleboarding and kayaking.
Whales, Wildlife & Glaciers is a diverse eight-day cruise exploring the many inlets and wildlife of Alaska aboard the 88-guest Safari Endeavor with savings on June 2, 16 and 30, July 14 and 28, and August 11 and 25 departures.
Alaska’s Inside Passage & San Juans Cruise spends 15 days along the iconic passage between Seattle and Juneau, visiting two UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Glacier Bay National Park and Olympic National Park aboard the 88-guest Safari Endeavor, with applicable savings on May 12 and Sept. 15; and aboard the 90-guest S.S. Legacy on Aug. 16.

These eight-day itineraries are aboard one of three Wilderness small ships that carry from 60 to 76 guests depending on the vessel. A $600 per-couple savings comes with specific 2019 departures of:

Northern Passages & Glacier Bay that explores backcountry wilderness between Sitka and Juneau on the Wilderness Discoverer with savings applicable on May 4 and 18 and on Wilderness Explorer Apr. 27 and July 20.
Alaska Fjords & Glaciers that discovers glaciers, fjord cliffs, deep valleys and whales, the Tlingit culture and Tongass National Forest, with savings on the Wilderness Adventurer April 6, on Wilderness Discoverer June 29 and July 6, and Wilderness Explorer July 6 and 13.
Glacier Bay National Park Adventure Cruise that brings guests to tidewater glaciers, whales, puffins and old-growth forest is aboard the Wilderness Adventurer with savings on April 27 and June 8 departures.

Because of the high demand for Alaska cruises, the company is already taking reservations for 2020 programs. To help clients select small ships and/or itineraries that best fits their interests, Smith’s team have prepared 6 Insider Tips to Travel Alaska in the Best Way.

For details on all of AdventureSmith Explorations’ small ship cruises, itineraries, availability and for 2019-2020 reservations, call 866-575-2875 toll-free or visit the company website.

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Active Travel, European travel, hiking

Trekking Hellas Offers 8-Day Hiking Tour to Greek Islands of Andros, Tinos

March 17, 2019 MoralCompass

*Hellas Hiking is offering an eight-day hiking tour of the Greek islands of Andros and Tinos*

Trekking Hellas is offering an 8 day/7 night hiking tour to the Andros and Tinos Islands in Greece.

During the tour, guests explore magnificent paths and trails with breathtaking views. Discover traditional Greek villages, local craftsmen and the unique Cycladic architecture and history. Enjoy sandy beaches and beautiful sunsets.

The Cyclades is a group of islands scattered over the deep blue waters of the Aegean Sea, cooled in the summer by the ‘Meltemi’ wind. One of the most ancient European civilizations was born and prospered here: the Cycladic civilization (3000-1000 BC). Although some of the Cycladic Islands are famous to the tourist crowds and the international jet set, there are a few that are still left to be discovered, from travelers that are seeking authentic vacation experiences: Andros and Tinos are among them.

Andros is the most northerly island of the Cyclades and the second largest after Naxos. Thanks to its water springs it’s irrigated with plentiful running water and thus verdant with a large numbers of olive trees, pines and fruit trees. Tinos, just one mile away, famous for its characteristic dovecotes, is full of picturesque villages and windmills. Tinos is today exactly what Delos Island was to believers in ancient times. Twice a year, on March 25th and August 15th, pilgrims inundate the island to visit the famous church of Virgin Mary (in Greek: Panagia).

The tour is available throughout the year; the cost is 785€/pp on self guided more.

Rate Includes: 8 days /7 nights accommodation in double rooms in selected accommodations with breakfast Lunch box on self guided mode during the hiking days. All ferry tickets from/to Athens and from Andros to Tinos Return transfers from ports to hotels. All necessary transfers for the hikes Self Guided Service: welcome briefing, gpx files, maps and booklet, emergency phone support.

For more information, visit https://trekking.gr/en/product_en/authentic-cyclades-tour. [email protected], Phone: +30 2103310323, https://trekking.gr/en

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Active Travel, bike trips, cycling trips, European travel, Uncategorized

Tourissimo and Ride & Seek Announce New Cycling Tour Exploring Italy’s ‘Boot’ – Puglia

March 17, 2019 MoralCompass

*A new cycling tour being offered by Tourissimo and Ride & Seek as part of their PLUS Tours series highlights two UNESCO sites – Alberobello and Matera*

(Turin, Italy) – Situated between the blue waters of the Adriatic Sea and the forests and mountains of Basilicata, Puglia offers a landscape of beguiling views, ancient olive groves, and UNESCO sites. This new cycling tour being offered by Tourissimo and Ride & Seek as part of their PLUS Tours series highlights two of these UNESCO sites – Alberobello and Matera. The former is known for its trulli, whitewashed stone huts with conical roofs, whilst the latter for its cave dwellings built into the calcareous rock. Guests will cycle the road-less-traveled with average daily rides of 40 km, and spend evenings dining on gourmet cuisine and fine wines.

“From the Adriatic Sea to the stones of Matera, this Puglia tour explores the most beautiful riding destinations in Southern Italy,” said Ride & Seek Founder Dylan Reynolds. “We will cycle rolling landscapes carpeted with olive groves, vineyards, whitewashed hill towns, fishing villages, and thousands of trulli.”

The trip starts in Savelletri with fig trees, blooming cacti, and herb gardens offering delightful fragrances. Guests will ride through one of the gems of Puglia: the Valle D’Itria. Its wooded slopes, vineyards, and endless olive groves are punctuated by the coned roofs of trulli.

“While many regions of Italy boast of having the best food in the world, Puglia could claim this title due its simple preparations that allow the true flavors of the food to stand out,” said Beppe Salerno, Co-Founder of Tourissimo. “But the charm of Puglia is rooted in the people themselves. Their hospitality is renowned throughout Italy.”

Tour Highlights:

Touring Matera where the 2016 remake of Ben-Hur was filmed
Discovering the white-washed town of Ostuni and the beaches near the fishing village of Savelletri
Visiting two UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Alberobello & Matera
Riding among the orchards and trulli of Valle d’Itria
Attending a demonstration by a master cheese maker
Exploring the Greek Ruins of Egnazia
Lodging in the award-winning Sextantio Hotel

The trip is scheduled for October 10-17, 2019 and starts at $4,195.

For more info, visit https://www.rideandseek.com/tour/puglia-the-best-of-southern-italy/.

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Adventure Travel, family-friendly adventures, National Parks, Nature Travel

Austin Adventures Offers Special Incentives, Live Webinar during March ‘Family Appreciation’ Month

March 10, 2019 MoralCompass

For the second year in a row, Austin Adventures, a leading family adventure company, is dedicating the entire month of March to “*Family Appreciation,” with special incentives and giveaways, plus an interactive child & parent “Take a National Park Vacation” webinar*

BILLINGS, MT –For the second year in a row, Austin Adventures, a leading family adventure company, is dedicating the entire month of March to “Family Appreciation,” with special incentives and giveaways, plus an interactive child & parent “Take a National Park Vacation” webinar that all ages will want to attend.

“Between work, school, athletic and social schedules, planning and scheduling a family vacation has never been more challenging, often to the point of missing the opportunity all together to create lasting bonds and memories within the family,” explains Dan Austin, president and founder of the company which has been taking families to national parks and around the globe for 35 years. “Austin Adventures is fully committed to helping anyway we can. Our goal is to take the stress out of vacation planning and then deliver an experience second-to-none.”

On Tuesday, Mar 12, 2019 at 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM EDT Austin Adventures invites kids and parents to a live webinar focused on helping families (especially the kids) with their vacation planning. Anyone considering a small group vacation tour now or in the future is encouraged to attend. For information and to register click here.

The seminar will be hosted by Kasey Austin, Outside Magazine 2014 Family Guide of the Year. Making a cameo appearance will be Dan Austin, company visionary and travel industry legend. Together, The Austin Family has set the bar for family adventure travel for decades, so much so, they are often referred to as “the First Family of Adventure Travel”.

During this informal and informative webinar focused on the younger generation, Kasey will offer tips and insights on planning and visiting America’s National Parks along with other popular family destinations.

As an incentive to register and attend, every family that participates will receive a coupon worth $250 off their next Austin Adventures family vacation. Plus, all participating kids (age 6-12) whose parents end up booking a 2019 family national park adventure will receive a logo-embossed backpack (on Day 1 of the trip) packed full of swag (logo water bottle, trip journal, field guide, hacky sack, stickers and more).

“I had so much fun sharing my passion for our National Parks last year, I couldn’t wait to do it all again this year. Sharing the parks with the next generation of adventurer really is my passion. I am looking forward to sharing what we know and have learned from our 35+ years of taking families deep into our national parks,” said Kasey Austin.

“Dan and I will draw from our own experiences and help families with real time information that can assist them in making the most of a park vacation, whether with us or on their own. There will be a follow-up email survey as well as ample time for questions and answers.”

The webinar will help Austin Adventures kick-off their second annual “Family Appreciation” Month. Dedicated to celebrating and encouraging family vacations worldwide, this observance comes on the heels of the company’s 2nd wildly successful “Alumni Appreciation” month held in December, 2018. Throughout the month there will be dedicated e-newsletters and blogs on family travel, special incentives, travel agent promotions and for extended families, an offer of a free trip for one guest in groups of ten or more booked.

To assist in vacation planning, Austin Adventures also offers a free Insider’s Guide to Planning the Perfect Family Adventure. See: https://www.austinadventures.com/free-family-travel-guide/.

Austin Adventures has led the field when it comes to family adventures (twice being acknowledged by Travel + Leisure Magazine as the #1 Tour and Family Tour Operator in the World). For 2019, there are over 40 family adventures planned across the globe. Here is a sampling of some of the more popular National Park itineraries on the current Austin Adventures roster. All adult rates are per person, double occupancy.

Grand Canyon National Park: 6-days/5-nights from $2,998; children from $2,398.

Alaska- Kenai Fjords National Park: 6 days/5 nights from $3,698; children from $3,328.

Bryce & Zion National Parks: 6 days/5 nights from $2,798; children from $2,518.

Yellowstone National Park: 6 days/5 nights from $2,898; children from $2,318.

Grand Teton National Park: 6 days/5 nights from $3,298; children from $2,968.

Yosemite National Park: 6 days/5 nights from $3,698; children from $2,958.

Glacier National Park: 6 days/5 nights from $3,298; children from $2,638.

South Dakota – Black Hills (Mount Rushmore and Crazy Horse Monuments / Wind Cave NP): 6 days/5 nights from $2,898; children from $2,318.

Banff to Jasper National Parks 6 days/5 nights from $3,098; children from $2,478.

For more information and trip availability, call 800-575-1540 or email [email protected]. For a full roster of Austin Adventures’ 2019 trips, cruises and distinctive accommodations on seven continents visit: http://www.austinadventures.com. To access the 2019 digital catalog or order a print copy, go to: https://www.austinadventures.com/request-catalog/.

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Asia/Pacific, Asia/Pacific travel

World Spree Travel Markets $1599 Air-Inclusive Tour of Vietnam, Country in Spotlight with Trump-Kim Summit

February 25, 2019 MoralCompass

*World Spree’s 13-day air-inclusive “Amazing Vietnam” package that starts with two days in Hanoi, the capital city* © *Dave E Leiberman/goingplacesfarandnear.com*

Bellevue, WA—The eyes of the world are on Vietnam this week with President Donald Trump and North Korea’s leader Kim Jong-Un meeting in Hanoi. For travelers whose interest has been sparked, World Spree offers a very affordable and appealing tour that covers all the highlights of this increasingly popular destination. (Travel expert Pauline Frommer led a recent group.)

The 13-day Amazing Vietnam tour, which starts at $1,599 from Los Angeles and San Francisco ($100 more from New York), includes round-trip international airfare, ground transportation in Vietnam, accommodation in deluxe hotels (like the Hanoi Nikko and Grand Hotel Saigon), daily buffet breakfast, five other meals, an overnight cruise on Halong Bay, sightseeing tours with entrance fees, professional English speaking guides, baggage handling and audio earphones.

The tour starts in Hanoi, Vietnam’s lovely capital, full of parks and French-colonial mansions and a fascinating Old Quarter of tiny shops and street vendors. Sightseeing here includes monuments associated with Ho Chi Minh and there’s an optional tour of the Old Quarter and the infamous “Hanoi Hilton” prison. Next comes a tour highlight: an overnight cruise on a traditional-style junk through the beautiful waters of Halong Bay, which is celebrated for its spectacular seascape of towering limestone pillars and some 1,600 islets.

A flight south to Da Nang and a short ride past China Beach brings the tour to Hoi An, a charming market town that retains much of its traditional architecture, with well-preserved temples and pagodas, not to mention shops that can produce a bargain-priced dress in 24 hours. On to Hue, the old imperial capital and its wealth of royal palaces, temples and gardens. Sightseeing here includes the impressive Citadel and its Forbidden City and there’s an optional cyclo excursion through the old town, ending with a very special banquet.

And finally, the bustling metropolis called “Saigon” (officially Ho Chi Minh City), where skyscrapers are rising beside ancient temples and French-colonial landmarks. Here there are two not-to-be-missed optional excursions: the Mekong Delta, known as Vietnam’s “rice basket,” and the truly unbelievable Cu Chi Tunnels.

Prices are per person, double occupancy, and are subject to availability. For more information, log onto www.worldspree.com, click Vietnam and then Amazing Vietnam, or call toll-free 1-866-652-5656.

World Spree Travel, which started 15 years ago as China Spree, with tours of China, is a tour operator renowned for 5-star trips at 3-star prices. Based in Bellevue, Washington, World Spree has expanded all over Asia and now operates tours to China, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, India, Nepal, Bhutan, Bali, Myanmar and, yes, Peru and Ecuador. Foodie tours are on the horizon. Some 70% of World Spree’s tour participants are repeat clients who value well-planned trips at a reasonable price.

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Adventure Travel, Asia/Pacific travel, bike trips

Explore Laos by Bicycle with Grasshopper Adventures

On Grasshopper Adventures’ 8-day cycling tour, guests pedal past karst mountains, alongside rivers, and through remote hill tribe villages.

(Bangkok, Thailand) — With its dense forests, limestone caves and seemingly endless waterways, Laos is a dream destination for intrepid travelers seeking an off-the-beaten-track corner of Asia. On Grasshopper Adventures’ 8-day cycling tour, guests pedal past karst mountains, alongside rivers, and through remote hill tribe villages. They boat down the Mekong River, hang out with Buddhist monks, take cooking lessons, learn about rice wine making, and visit both bear and elephant conservation sanctuaries.

“This tour gets people away from the large infrastructure works that are being undertaken throughout much of the country and closer to what Laos is all about, the villages, the tribes and the natural environment,” said Grasshopper Adventures founder Adam Platt-Hepworth.

The cycling offers nice variety, including back roads and quiet highways. There are some short, manageable climbs, but the stunning views and Hmong village scenery are ample rewards for the effort. Most days include undulating terrain, with a fair share of flat pedaling along winding river roads.

“When not exploring by bike, we make use of boats for some added variety,” said Platt-Hepworth. “There is a good mix of on and off-bike activities with a number of free afternoons to spend at your leisure, be it enjoying some R&R or delving deeper into the environment.”

Tour highlights:

Exploring Mekong Elephant Park
Taking Laotian cooking lessons
Boating down the Mekong River to see river/village life
Touring sacred Pak Ou caves filled with thousands of Buddha relics
Experiencing the traditional Monks Alms ceremony in Luang Prabang
Cycling to Wat Xieng Thong, one of Laos’ most important monasteries
Seeing how silk is made at Ock Pop Tock
Learning about rice wine making
Visiting the Free the Bears enclosure
Partaking in massage and yoga a luxurious resorts

The trips starts at $2,600 per person double and include 195 km of moderate cycling from Muang Xa to Luang Prabang. For more information, visit https://www.grasshopperadventures.com/en/scheduled-tours/lao-lao.html.

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Adventure Travel, Asia/Pacific

Pacific Delight Develops Active Tour of Vietnam & Cambodia by Boot, Bike & Boat

Pacific Delight guests on the new Active Southeast Asia tour will enjoy an exhilarating eco-adventure with a bird’s-eye view of Cambodia’s jungle.

After launching a specialized program highlighting Vietnam’s Culinary Delights which includes a chef popularized by the late Anthony Bourdain, Pacific Delight Tours has now developed a 12-day Active Southeast Asia tour. The itinerary targets adventure seekers interested in delving off the beaten path to discover local life and culture both within and outside of major cities throughout Vietnam and Cambodia by bike, boat and boot.

Highlights include a luxury cruise through Ha Long Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage Site where participants will enjoy an onboard cooking demonstration in addition to exploring Sung Sot Cave and hiking 600 steps to observe the magnificent limestone formations (with an option to kayak around the islets). An overnight train to Lao Cai will bring travelers to the seldom visited villages of Sa Pa and Giang Ta Chai, in the mountainous region of northwestern Vietnam, where they will trek terraced rice paddies to interact with the Hmong, Dzay and Dzao ethnic minorities. Visitors will also observe Silver Waterfall cascading more than 300 feet from Vietnam’s highest mountain pass.

Exploration of Vietnam continues in Ho Chi Minh City (formerly known as Saigon), where guests will experience the city’s burgeoning nightlife scene by streetlamp with a vintage Vespa tour of the bustling streets and narrow alleyways of the colonial French Quarter. Participants will bike rustic Ben Tre, known for its peaceful orchards and coconut fields,for an immersive experience with the culture of the Mekong Delta. A local antique collector known as Uncle Six will welcome guests into his home and teach participants how to climb a coconut tree with their bare hands. Travelers will row across shaded canals to board a lunch cruise where they will sample local specialties including sweet coconut desserts.

In Cambodia, a bike excursion through the Angkor Wat temple complex will cross the UNESCO World Heritage Site’s vast moat and continue along its causeway to view more than 1,700 Asparas (celestial dancers) carved into the temple walls-the longest continuous bas-relief structure in the world. For an aerial view, a Flight of the Gibbons canopy zipline eco-adventure will traverse hanging bridges and provide inspiring views of the surrounding tropical rainforest as sky rangers impart knowledge of the Cambodian jungle.

Travelers will explore Chong Kneas Floating Village by boat to learn about the daily lives of local communities living around the lake. A visit to the Phsar Chas Market, originally destroyed by the Khmer Rouge in 1975 and rebuilt roughly 20 years later, will provide opportunities to sample unique food stalls and souvenir shops. The tour culminates with a quad bike excursion through Cambodia’s verdant countryside to observe laid-back villages, a local orphanage and Prei Monti-a Cambodian monastery dating back to the 9^th century.

Priced from $3,499 per person, based on double occupancy, the program includes deluxe hotel accommodations, intra-Southeast Asia transportation throughout Vietnam and Cambodia, and all meals & activities outlined on the itinerary (excluding optional add-ons). International airfare is not included, but can be arranged by Pacific Delight Tours at the time of booking.

For more information or to book, contact Pacific Delight Tours at 800-221-7179 or visit www.PacificDelightTours.com.

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sports travel

STI Race Packages Make it Easy to Combine Rome and Paris Marathons in April 2019

*Sports Tours International offers packages to experience the upcoming marathons in Rome and Paris.*

MANCHESTER, UK– Two European capitals are gearing up for April 2019 when hordes of marathoners create their own spectacles while running through the ancient streets first of Rome and a few days later of Paris.

In 2018, the two cities combined hosted some 56,000 runners who took up the challenge of cobblestone streets and promenades flanked by some of the world’s most remarkable antiquities and architecture.

Sports Tours International www.sportstoursinternational.co.uk/, the pros at securing hotel packages and entry into prestigious running and cycling events around the globe, again this spring has lined up hotels (breakfasts included) convenient to the marathons and the services of its seasoned reps who will pamper and prep runners in advance of these events.

Rome Marathon 2019 is first up on Sunday, April 7. Every year 16,000 runners from over 130 countries come to Rome to explore ancient ruins such as the Roman Forum and the Colosseum during the Maratona di Roma weekend. Runners may obtain in advance a three-night (April 6-8) plan that includes overnight accommodations for three nights at the four-star Mercure Centro Colosseo, daily breakfasts, local assistance and a pasta party with beverages. The per person rate is from £529. Sports Tours International can also book entry into the marathon from now through Feb. 28 at £75 and from March 1-25 at £85. For details see https://www.sportstoursinternational.co.uk/events/rome-marathon/

After running in the Eternal City, marathoners have until April 12 to get to the City of Lights for Paris Marathon 2019 on April 14. Sports Tours International stands ready to arrange accommodation in other places along the way. In Paris itself packages are available for two, three or four nights with two hotel options from £219 per person. With accommodation and daily breakfast come running rep services and guaranteed entry into the race. An early booking entry fee available for a limited time is £75 per entry. Staff service on the Paris Marathon includes a Marathon race briefing, daily hotel visits, an escorted trip to the Marathon Expo on Friday and Saturday and an escorted trip to the Marathon start.

The Paris Marathon, attracting over 40,000 runners annually, was established in 1977 during the beginning of a craze for big city, international marathons. There are now more than 23,000 runners from abroad, making up 40 percent of the field. The 26.2-mile running and sightseeing journey begins on one of the world’s most famous streets, Les Champs Elysées. From the foot of the Arc de Triomphe the route heads towards the Place de la Concorde. From the Rue de Rivoli runners sweep through the Place de la Bastille. Then comes a glimpse of greenery in the Bois de Vincennes which has views of Notre Dame and Eiffel Tower before reaching the finish line on the Avenue Foch.

Sports Tours International’s operations executive Simon is a huge fan of this race. Find out why he loves it here: https://www.sportstoursinternational.co.uk/simons-schneider-electric-marathon-de-paris-experience/.

For Paris Marathon packages see: https://www.sportstoursinternational.co.uk/events/paris-marathon/

Sports Tours International suggests booking race packages early. For more information, available packages, space availability and reservations visit online: https://www.sportstoursinternational.co.uk/, email: [email protected], or call: (+44) 161 703 8161.

Sports Tours International is one of Europe’s leading specialists in sports travel. Since 1973 they have hosted thousands of participants and spectators at major sporting events worldwide. The company’s roots came from a devotion to running when founder Vince Regan began taking runners to the NYC Marathon. Since the early 2000s, the company offers international cycling events, triathlon competitions, sports training camps and corporate hospitality.

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Hotels & Resorts

Virtuoso Travelers Get Exclusive Benefits for Opening of Hotel de la Ville Rome

*To celebrate the opening of the Hotel de la Ville atop the Spanish Steps in Rome, the Rocco Forte hotel is offering perks exclusively to guests who book through Virtuoso by March 1.*

Discerning globetrotters seeking a combination of historic charm, modern design and superb location at the top of Rome’s Spanish Steps will welcome Hotel de la Ville, opening in May 2019. To celebrate, the Rocco Forte hotel is offering perks exclusively to guests who reserve their stay through an advisor affiliated with leading global luxury travel network Virtuoso®. Travelers who book by March 15, 2019 for stays from June 1 through August 31, 2019 will receive:

A complimentary night for stays of three nights or more
A welcome amenity
Curated experiences (for suite guests)
Limousine Class S return transfer and breakfast in-suite or on the terrace (for Signature Suite guests)

Hotel de la Ville will also offer these additional ongoing advantages exclusively for Virtuoso clients:

Upgrade upon arrival, if available
Early check-in and late checkout, if available
Daily buffet breakfast for two
US$100 food and beverage credit, per stay
Wi-Fi

The 18^th-century palazzo will feature 104 elegant rooms and suites designed by Tommaso Ziffer along with Olga Polizzi. Bold colors, lively patterns and eclectic furnishings by local artisans will define the eye-catching design. Rooms start from a comfortable 270 square feet and offer wooden floors, marble bathrooms and stunning views over via Sistina and the rooftops of the Eternal City. The 15 suites include two Signature Suites and a Presidential Suite that is arguably the most exceptional suite in Rome, featuring a kitchen, studio and two panoramic terraces.

Helmed by the Director of Food, Chef Fulvio Pierangelini, and overseen by Lydia Forte, Food and Beverage Director for Rocco Forte Hotels, three exciting restaurants and three playful cocktail bars will make Hotel de la Ville the gathering place for the bright and beautiful. The Lobby Lounge & Bistro will serve authentic yet modern cuisine showcasing fresh produce alongside local biodynamic wines. The main restaurant will offer sophisticated elegance with a Mediterranean-inspired menu and views over the hotel courtyard. The rooftop bar with spectacular 360-degree vistas of Rome will feature imaginative cocktails.

The hotel’s spa and wellness facilities will include a 24-hour gym with Technogym equipment, a hydro pool, plunge pool, Kneipp footbaths, ice showers, salt inhalation room, steam room and sauna. Extending over two floors, the spa will cover almost 6,000 square feet, with revitalizing therapies offered in six treatment rooms, including a double room.

“Inspired by the era of the Grand Tour when Rome was an essential destination for sophisticated voyagers, Hotel de la Ville beautifully marries historic architecture and modern luxury,” says Albert Herrera, Virtuoso’s senior vice president of Global Product Partnerships. “Guests will find the ideal location with views of Rome’s famed rooftops, vibrant restaurants and bars, sumptuous décor, state-of-the-art technology and unparalleled service everything they’d expect from a hotel of this reputation and caliber.”

Hotel de la Ville is the latest upscale property to launch with support from the esteemed Virtuoso Preview program, which offers benefits solely for clients of network travel advisors. Preview is part of Virtuoso’s industry-leading Hotels & Resorts Program, with more than 1,300 superlative properties in over 100 countries.

These complimentary benefits at Hotel de la Ville are available exclusively through a Virtuoso travel advisor, either by booking directly with one or via www.virtuoso.com. There they will be matched with an advisor to service the reservation and other aspects of the trip. To find an advisor, visit https://www.virtuoso.com/advisors#.

Virtuoso® is a leading international travel agency network specializing in luxury and experiential travel. This by-invitation-only organization comprises over 1,000 travel agency partners with 20,000 elite travel advisors in 50 countries throughout North America, Latin America, the Caribbean, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Africa and the Middle East. Drawing upon its preferred relationships with over 1,800 of the world’s best hotels and resorts, cruise lines, airlines, tour companies and premier destinations, the network provides its upscale clientele with exclusive amenities, rare experiences and privileged access. More than $26.4 billion in annual travel sales makes Virtuoso a powerhouse in the luxury travel industry. For more information, visit www.virtuoso.com.

Established by Sir Rocco Forte and sister, Olga Polizzi in 1996, Rocco Forte Hotels is a collection of 11 individual hotels and resorts. All of the hotels are landmarks, both old and new, occupying magnificent buildings in exceptional locations. Led by a family who has been in hospitality for four generations, the hotels are united by their distinctive approach to service ensuring guests experience the best of the cities and surrounding areas. Rocco Forte Hotels comprises: Hotel de Russie, Rome; Hotel Savoy, Florence; Verdura Resort, Sicily; The Balmoral, Edinburgh; Brown’s Hotel, London; The Charles Hotel, Munich; Villa Kennedy, Frankfurt; Hotel de Rome, Berlin; Hotel Amigo, Brussels; Hotel Astoria, St Petersburg; Assila Hotel, Jeddah.

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